Fly Kubernetes does more now

Fly Kubernetes is the “blessed path"™️ to using Kubernetes backed by Fly.io infrastructure. Or, in simpler terms, it is our managed Kubernetes service. We take care of the complexity of operating the Kubernetes control plane, leaving you with the unf

Senyo Simpson, JP Phillips
7 min readadvanced
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Overview

The article discusses the beta release of Fly Kubernetes, a managed Kubernetes service that simplifies the deployment and management of Kubernetes workloads on Fly.io infrastructure. It highlights the unique features of Fly Kubernetes, including its use of Virtual Kubelet and Firecracker microVMs, and outlines the current capabilities and future plans for the service.

What You'll Learn

1

How to create a Kubernetes cluster using Fly.io

2

Why Fly Kubernetes simplifies the management of Kubernetes workloads

3

When to use Virtual Kubelet for deploying workloads

Key Questions Answered

What is Fly Kubernetes and how does it work?
Fly Kubernetes is a managed Kubernetes service that abstracts the complexities of operating the Kubernetes control plane. It utilizes Virtual Kubelet to deploy workloads as Fly Machines, allowing users to focus on deploying applications without managing underlying infrastructure.
What are the key features of Fly Kubernetes?
Key features of Fly Kubernetes include the use of Firecracker microVMs for running Docker containers, an internal WireGuard mesh for networking, and the ability to deploy workloads across various regions using the Kubernetes API. It also supports standard Kubernetes DNS and services.
How can I expose a service in Fly Kubernetes?
You can expose a service in Fly Kubernetes using the standard ClusterIP Service. This allows your pods to communicate internally using Kubernetes DNS format, and Fly.io's internal DNS supports these services natively.
What is the pricing model for Fly Kubernetes?
During the beta phase, Fly Kubernetes is free. After the beta, it will cost $75 per month per cluster, in addition to the costs for other resources created with it.

Technologies & Tools

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Orchestration
Kubernetes
Used as the underlying orchestration platform for deploying workloads.
Virtualization
Firecracker
Used to run Docker containers as microVMs for improved performance and security.
Networking
Wireguard
Provides secure networking between pods in the Fly Kubernetes environment.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Utilize Fly Kubernetes to streamline your deployment process and reduce operational overhead.
By leveraging Fly Kubernetes, developers can focus on application development rather than managing Kubernetes infrastructure, which can significantly speed up the deployment process.
2
Take advantage of the Virtual Kubelet feature to efficiently manage workloads without worrying about underlying nodes.
This allows for a more flexible deployment strategy, as it abstracts the hardware management, enabling developers to deploy applications quickly and efficiently.
3
Explore the use of Firecracker microVMs for running lightweight containers in a secure environment.
Firecracker microVMs provide a fast and secure way to run workloads, making them ideal for serverless applications and microservices.

Common Pitfalls

1
Assuming that Fly Kubernetes supports all Kubernetes features.
Currently, Fly Kubernetes does not support multi-container pods, StatefulSets, and certain other Kubernetes features. It's important to understand the limitations to avoid frustration when deploying complex applications.

Related Concepts

Kubernetes API
Virtual Kubelet
Firecracker Microvms
Fly.io Infrastructure